Insulin requirements in the intensive care unit in response to infection.

Infectious complications in the intensive care unit (ICU) are classically identified when an elevated temperature triggers obtaining cultures. Elevated temperature, however, is a nonspecific marker of infection and may occur well into the course of the infection. The goal of this study was to evaluate whether escalating insulin demands may serve as an earlier marker for infection.

Changes in male breast cancer over a 30-year period.

Male breast cancer is a rare clinical entity accounting for approximately 1 per cent of all breast cancers. The present study investigated changes in patient characteristics, disease patterns, treatment, and outcomes over a 30-year period. A retrospective chart review was performed on male breast cancer patients treated between 1975 and 2005 at Eastern Virginia Medical School, Norfolk, VA.

Environmental exposures and puberty in inner-city girls.

Background: Hormonally active environmental exposures are suspected to alter onset of puberty in girls, but research on this question has been very limited.

Objective: We investigated pubertal status in relation to hormonally active environmental exposures among a multiethnic group of 192 healthy 9-year-old girls residing in New York City.

Methods: Information was collected on breast and pubic hair stages, weight and height.

Impact of race on breast cancer in lower socioeconomic status women.

Lower socioeconomic status and lack of access to care are often implicated as plausible causes for African American women to present with later stage breast cancer than Caucasian women. Our objective is to determine if racial differences are present in newly diagnosed breast cancer in women of equivalent socioeconomic status. A retrospective review of prospectively gathered data from women with newly diagnosed breast cancer was performed.

Acute intestinal pseudo-obstruction (Ogilvie's syndrome).

Acute colonic pseudo-obstruction (ACPO), also known as Ogilvie's syndrome, is a condition characterized by massive colonic distension in the absence of mechanical obstruction. Patients presenting with Ogilvie's syndrome have underlying medical and surgical conditions predisposing them to the syndrome. Ogilvie's syndrome can often be managed by conservative therapy.